Video review HERE.
The evolution of Macanudo continues with Macanudo Mao, a limited edition release featuring heirloom Dominican seeds from the 1960’s.
Reflecting a previously-untouched science, Macanudo’s team of agronomists regenerated the seeds over eight growing seasons, breeding the plants in two different countries to deliver improved leaf shape, color and combustibility, while preserving the rare tobacco’s true flavor.
In just four years, the agronomists have replicated the taste of a bygone era for the sheer enjoyment of today’s discerning smokers.
The regenerated Dominican tobacco comprises the lion’s share of the blend, which also includes Nicaraguan and Colombian long filler and a Mexican binder. The wrapper is a silky Connecticut Shade selected solely for Macanudo Mao.
Jhonys Diaz, master blender and vice president of operations said, “Macanudo Mao is one of our finest examples of tobacco expertise to date. We began our regeneration experiments more than five years ago, and are extremely proud of our team of agronomists for bringing this exceptionally-flavored tobacco back to life.”
Named for the growing region in the Dominican Republic where the seeds were cultivated, Mao delivers a new dimension of strength, flavor and sweetness to the brand, while retaining the smooth-smoking characteristics of all cigars bearing the Macanudo crest.
This exceptional cigar is handcrafted in the D.R. and will only be available until the limited release of 1,800 boxes per size is depleted.
Wrapper: Connecticut shade
Binder: Mexican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Colombian
Macanudo Mao will be available beginning in September in three frontmarks, each protected in individual coffins and presented in 10-count boxes. They are:
No. 10 -- 5 x 50; SRP per cigar is $16.00 REVIEWED TODAY
No. 11 -- 7 x 50; SRP per cigar is $17.00
No. 12 -- 6 x 57; SRP per cigar is $18.00
The cigar is a darker brown for a Connecticut wrapper. It has an average feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors were a sweet cedar with a buttery chocolate. The pepper was black rated at an 8. There are also some coffee notes at the base. The chocolate flavor reminds me of a chocolate icing on a cake but not quite as rich.
About one inch in there are now obvious brown sugar notes. The other notes are still in play. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is a sweet cream with some influence from the chocolate. There is a little lingering black pepper. This is very untypical of your basic Macanudo cigar.
At the midpoint the ash is still intact. At this point I got a wee amount of a tangy flavor coming from the Nicaraguan tobacco, I would assume. It has citrus notes and it's not overwhelming. It is quite faint. By and large you still have the other noted flavors but there is a definite addition of a citrus flavor.
Look at this ash! Over half of the cigar.
As the cigar ended the chocolate is almost a dark chocolate flavor at this point. The citrus is sort of the flavor you have in a piece of chocolate candy with orange filling. The brown sugar is subdued and you get more chocolate notes at this point. The pepper remained very good. Coffee continued to hold the base. The cigar ended medium to full bodied. This was a good cigar and if you can stand the price point you should try them. 
Score: 91
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